Australian rugby is in shock after the sudden death of former Wallabies star Dan Vickerman.
The 37‑year‑old passed away last night. It's believed there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
He leaves behind a wife and two young children.
Former teammates who were told the news today have been left devastated.
Vickerman played 63 Tests for Australia between 2002 to 2011, including that year's World Cup in which Australia made the semi‑final.
He was forced to prematurely retire in 2012 due to persistent problems with stress fractures in his right leg.
Post football, Vickerman worked in the real estate and development industry.
Vickerman, born in South Africa's Cape Town, spent time playing and studying as a teenager in England before moving to Australia in 2000 and becoming a favourite at the Sydney University club.
His talents were obvious and he was quickly selected for the Australian under‑21s side that year.
The next season he was playing for the Brumbies, who won the Super Rugby premiership that year.
In 2002 he made his debut for the Wallabies in Sydney against France and became renowned as one of Australia's toughest ever locks over the next decade.
Source: NZ Herald
